Employers hungry to hire at job fair

March 13, 2013

That's the distinct impression you would have had at the Iowa Lakes Community College job fair Wednesday on the Estherville campus. Over 30 employers hung up their shingle in the main campus building while wind and related companies both nationally and internationally were at the wind energy and turbine technology building.

"I'm looking for a person that wants to start their own business," said Scott

Article Photos

Above, Sandy Griese and Katie Zehms of the Valero Renewables Welcome, Minn. site met with wind students Joel Ter Wee of Inwood, Jake Groothousen of La Crosse, Wis. and Paul Spies of West Union. EDN photos by Michael Tidemann

Griffith. "I've already started. They've just got to jump in and take over."

If you've ever heard the expression that a lot of employers want someone who isn't afraid of a little hard work - maybe even get his hands a little dirty - that could describe Griffith.

"If you give a kid a million bucks, chances are pretty good it will be gone by the time he's 65. If you give him a dollar and show him how to make it into two, chances are pretty good he'll be a millionaire by the time he's 65," said Griffith.

Anna Diemer of Rosenboom Machine and Tool of Spirit Lake and Sheldon was looking for a variety of persons including machinists, robotics welders, supervisors and engineers. Persons with experience are preferred. "But we hire people with no experience," Diemer said.

"We're a family oriented company. Some commitment to Rosenboom is always a plus," Diemer said.

Amy Sunde of CR Holland Crane Service said the company has hired graduates from the Iowa Lakes wind energy and turbine technology program already, with two recently becoming certified crane operators.

"We like these students because a lot of our customers are wind farms," Sunde said. "They know exactly what needs to be done and where it's going on the wind turbine itself."